Get ready to brighten up your day with these absolutely delightful Funfetti Cupcakes! These little bursts of joy are not just a treat for your taste buds, but a feast for your eyes too. With their vibrant sprinkles and fluffy texture, these cupcakes are guaranteed to put a smile on anyone’s face. Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or just because you deserve a little happiness in your life!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bursting with Fun: The colorful sprinkles scattered throughout the cupcake and on top make these treats irresistibly cheerful.
Perfectly Moist: The addition of sour cream ensures these cupcakes stay wonderfully moist and tender.
Easy to Make: Don’t let their fancy appearance fool you – these cupcakes are surprisingly simple to whip up!
Crowd-Pleaser: Kids and adults alike will adore these festive cupcakes. They’re a hit at parties!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cupcakes:

All-purpose flour: The base of our cupcakes, providing structure.
Baking powder and baking soda: Our leavening agents, making the cupcakes rise and become fluffy.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the cupcake.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cupcakes and helps create a tender crumb.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps create a soft texture.
Eggs: Bind everything together and add structure.
Vanilla extract: Provides that classic, warm flavor we all love.
Sour cream: The secret to keeping these cupcakes moist!
Whole milk: Adds moisture and richness.
Rainbow jimmies: The star of the show, adding color and fun to our cupcakes.

For the Vanilla Buttercream:

Unsalted butter: The base of our creamy frosting.
Salt: Balances the sweetness.
Confectioner’s sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
Heavy cream: Helps achieve the perfect consistency.
Vanilla extract: Adds flavor to our frosting.
Colorful jimmies or sprinkles: For that extra festive touch on top!

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Chocolate Funfetti: Add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a chocolatey twist.
Almond Joy: Replace vanilla extract with almond extract in both the cupcakes and frosting.
Lemon Burst: Add lemon zest to the batter and replace some of the milk with lemon juice.
Birthday Cake: Mix in some cake batter flavoring for that classic birthday cake taste.

How to Make Funfetti Cupcakes

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In your stand mixer, beat the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. This creates air pockets for a tender cupcake.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

Mix in the eggs and vanilla, then add the sour cream and milk. The batter might look a bit curdled, but don’t worry!

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!

Step 6: Add the Fun

Gently fold in those colorful sprinkles. This is where the magic happens!

Step 7: Bake

Scoop the batter into your prepared muffin tin and bake for 18-23 minutes. They’re done when the tops spring back when lightly touched.

Step 8: Make the Frosting

While the cupcakes cool, whip up your buttercream. Beat the butter, then gradually add the sugar, cream, and vanilla until it’s light and fluffy.

Step 9: Decorate

Once the cupcakes are completely cool, pipe on that luscious buttercream and shower them with extra sprinkles!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Overmix: Stop mixing as soon as the ingredients are combined to avoid tough cupcakes.
Use a Scoop: A 1/4 cup measure or ice cream scoop ensures even-sized cupcakes.
Cool Completely: Make sure your cupcakes are totally cool before frosting to avoid a melty mess.
Quality Sprinkles: Use good quality sprinkles that won’t bleed their color into the batter.

How to Serve

These Funfetti Cupcakes are perfect for any celebration! Serve them:

As the star of a birthday party dessert table
At a baby shower or wedding shower
For an after-school treat that will make your kids’ day
As a colorful addition to a bake sale

Pair them with a cold glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Frosted cupcakes should be refrigerated and will last up to 5 days.

Freezing

Unfrosted cupcakes can be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag.

Reheating

Thaw frozen cupcakes overnight in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before frosting and serving.

FAQs

Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake the cupcakes up to 2 days in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Frost them just before serving for the best results.

Why did my sprinkles bleed into the batter?
This can happen if you use nonpareils instead of jimmies. Stick to jimmies or confetti quins for the best results in the batter.

Can I use this recipe to make a cake instead of cupcakes?
Yes, you can! This recipe will make one 9-inch round cake. Adjust the baking time to about 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

How can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?
You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum for the best texture.

These Funfetti Cupcakes are more than just a dessert – they’re a celebration in every bite! With their soft, moist texture, sweet vanilla flavor, and playful sprinkles, they’re sure to bring joy to any occasion. So go ahead, whip up a batch and spread some happiness. After all, life is too short not to have sprinkles in your cupcakes!